The initial stage of the fungus is characterized by the absence of pronounced symptoms. This is one of the reasons why many patients only find out about their disease after some time, when the causative agents of onychomycosis cause significant damage to healthy tissue. If a person is very careful about his own health, he can see the first signs of infection. Their discovery is a serious reason to visit a doctor's office that deals with fungal pathologies.
Reasons for the development of onychomycosis
The initial stage of the fungus on the hands and feet does not bring much discomfort to a person. The first signs of the disease, which are still mild at this point, are simply ignored by many infected people. Because of this, they miss the chance to start treatment of the disease in a timely manner and prevent the occurrence of serious complications.
There are many reasons that can lead to the development of a fungal infection on the nails and adjacent areas of the skin. They create optimal conditions for the successful development of pathogenic microflora. As a rule, onychomycosis is most susceptible to the elderly, as well as those with a weakened immune system. Other adverse factors can also provoke the development of the initial stage of the disease:
- neglect of personal hygiene rules;
- damage to the skin around your fingers or toes;
- Prolonged exposure to moisture or chemicals that dry out the skin;
- Regular wearing of tight clothing and shoes made of synthetic materials;
- Increased sweating in hot seasons;
- Chronic diseases that affect the state of immunity;
- immune and endocrine diseases;
- abuse of strong drugs;
- Climatic characteristics of the area that create ideal conditions for the reproduction of the causative agent of nail mycosis.
If any of these negative factors affect the human body, then it should think about preventing the development of onychomycosis. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him to avoid infection with the fungus.
Avoid tight and uncomfortable shoes. After all, the fungus loves to "settle" in microcracks. Even the slightest damage to the nail plate or skin "attracts". Violation of the blood supply in the fingers is also dangerous. Then the cells receive fewer useful nutrients and become easy prey for pathogens. So be careful with your shoes.
Comfortable orthopedic shoes are not only the key to healthy nails and feet, but also protect flat feet, hallux valgus, calluses, corns, make walking easier and correct existing disorders in the early stages. Wearing such shoes every day will provide comfort and not torment when walking. In addition, modern orthopedic shoes have an excellent design and maintain a fashionable style.
What does nail fungus look like in the early stages?
Nail fungus can bother absolutely anyone. In order to recognize it in time, it is necessary to know what conditions characterize the initial stage of the development of the disease.
Early signs of infection can be felt from the first day of infection. However, they are weakly expressed, so few people pay attention to them. A person should be careful if, after visiting a public place with high humidity, the color of the nail plates changes and itching appears in the toe area. These are the first symptoms of onychomycosis. If the nails are healthy, the infection cannot penetrate into their deeper layers. Only damaged disks are subject to such an attack.
on hands
Everyone should know early on what nail fungus looks like. This information helps him to assess the illness in himself or in people around him in good time.
Fungal infections on the hands are found in most cases in women. But representatives of the stronger sex are also prone to such an infection. The disease is recognized by such symptoms that appear first after infection:
- tarnishing of the surface of the nail plate;
- The formation of spots on the nails;
- changing nail color to yellow, gray or brown;
- crumbling of the nail plate near the edges;
- delamination and fragility;
- Exfoliation of the skin near the nail.
Some patients develop signs of swelling near the nails. Although at the initial stage of the development of the disease such a symptom usually does not appear.
On foot
To detect a fungal infection of the toenails will help a number of signs characteristic of this condition:
- yellowing of the nail on top or on the side;
- thickening of the nail plate;
- discoloration of the nail;
- Slight itching in the toe area;
- exfoliation of the nail;
- Unpleasant foot odor.
Lack of treatment at an early stage of the disease development leads to its progression. Therefore, it is very important not to miss the optimal moment to start a therapeutic course that will help to cope with the infection and prevent it from spreading to healthy tissues.
treatment
Toenail fungus is easily treatable once the patient is diagnosed at the early stages of its development. In order not to trigger the disease, it is necessary to abandon self-medication. The patient will not be able to choose adequate therapy himself, which will give a positive result. It is best to leave such tasks to competent specialists who deal with the diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
topical preparations
The fungus on the hands as well as the lower extremities can be eliminated with topical medicines. At the initial stage of the disease, only those drugs are used that do not have a significant effect on the patient's body, but act directly in the lesions.
Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis at the initial stage of development necessarily involves the use of a local drug.
The external agent should be used in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician, as well as its instructions for use. Compliance with this rule will increase the effectiveness of the course of treatment and avoid possible side effects.
According to the standard scheme, a local preparation must be applied with a thin layer to the nail plate infected with a fungus 1-2 times a day. If special varnishes are used, they are applied no more than 1 time per week.
systemic therapy
At the first sign of onychomycosis, you should consult a doctor. Athlete's foot and nail fungus cannot always be cured with a topical medication. Therefore, dermatologists additionally prescribe a systemic remedy that acts on the causative agent of the disease from within the human body.
Oral medications that have an antifungal effect may only be taken as directed by a doctor. This is because they have a large list of contraindications and side effects. The course of therapy for each patient is selected individually. It usually lasts about 4 months. If measures were taken at the initial stage of the development of onychomycosis, then this period will be reduced.
Systemic drugs are advisable if local funds do not stop the development of the disease.
Laser therapy and ozone therapy
It is possible to treat a fungal infection on the nail plates using hardware procedures. Laser and ozone therapy are used for these purposes. They are prescribed at the initial and advanced stages of the development of the pathological process, when traditional methods of treatment do not bring the desired result.
Laser therapy in the fight against nail fungus has many advantages:
- Achieving a guaranteed recovery outcome in 99% of cases;
- No pain or discomfort during the procedure;
- No negative effects on internal organs;
- Complete destruction of the fungus;
- improvement of the general condition of the infected area after the first intervention;
- Recovery of the nail plate 30 days after therapy.
Nail fungus on hands or lower extremities also helps in ozone therapy cure. The initial stage of onychomycosis lends itself well to such treatment.
Ozone has an antiseptic effect. For this reason, doctors use it in the treatment of fungal infections on the nails. When ozone enters the body, it is transported through the blood to different parts of the body. After that, a fight is fought with the causative agent of the disease, in which in most cases he loses.
Ozone therapy is completely painless. Duration is limited to 30 minutes. During treatment, only the infected area is affected. The skin around the plate is not affected.
Ozone, like laser therapy, is prescribed by the attending physician after the patient has passed all the necessary tests and studies. Based on their results, the specialist draws conclusions about the appropriateness of using such therapeutic procedures that will help speed up recovery.
folk methods
The attending physician may recommend the use of non-traditional methods of treatment along with medication. It is good to conduct such therapy at an early stage of the development of the pathological process. Then it will be most useful. Treatment of onychomycosis can be carried out using such folk remedies:
- Iodine. You need to treat the infected nail regularly. It is desirable to carry out the procedure twice a day in order to stop the development of pathogenic microflora on its surface. The antiseptic not only fights the fungus, but also dries out the nail plate. After a week of such treatment, it is recommended to take a break of 2-3 days;
- Garlic. This is a natural disinfectant that copes with the active reproduction of pathogens. A fresh clove of garlic must be rubbed, after which this gruel is applied to the problem area. It is advisable to leave it all night and fix the mass with a bandage.
- celandine. With onychomycosis, the juice of this plant is useful. It is recommended to lubricate the areas affected by an infectious disease on the upper or lower extremities with a fresh product. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to conduct an allergy test to this remedy in order to prevent the development of side effects.
- Onion. It works against a fungal infection caused by a yeast-like pathogen. Fresh vegetables need to be peeled and grated on a medium grater. Then the onion mass is mixed with a small portion of natural honey. The finished product should be applied to sore nails for 2-3 hours. If you perform this procedure several times a day, you can quickly achieve an improvement in the patient's general condition;
- Lemonade. It is used to prepare medicinal baths. It must be dissolved in hot or warm water. For 2. 5 liters of liquid you need to take 1 tbsp. l. Lemonade. It is also advisable to add a portion of liquid soap to the solution. This bath can be taken daily for 15 minutes.
Folk remedies are effective only in the treatment of the initial stage of onychomycosis. In more advanced cases, they don't bring much result. But even if the disease has just started, there is no guarantee that alternative medicine will help to completely get rid of it. It is best to use his methods in parallel with pharmaceutical preparations, to be sure of the effectiveness of the therapeutic course.
Disinfection and other rules during the treatment period
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the doctor will tell the patient in detail how to proceed, and he will advise at an early stage what the fungus on the feet looks like.
In addition, in order for the treatment prescribed by the doctor to be effective, the patient must adhere to special rules:
- It is necessary to disinfect daily socks and shoes that a person infected with the fungus has come into contact with;
- It is necessary to boil the patient's towels and bedding at a high temperature;
- After bathing the patient, the bath must be cleaned well.
The decoction is highly recommended for disinfecting all acceptable items and things that a person with onychomycosis has interacted with. You should also regularly wipe your shoes with special antiseptic and antifungal solutions.
Prevention of onychomycosis
Prevention of onychomycosis should be carried out by every person who is at risk of developing this disease. This measure will allow him to avoid unnecessary spending of money and time on medical procedures.
To avoid onychomycosis, you must:
- Refrain from wearing other people's clothing and shoes. If this is necessary, they must first be carefully treated with an antifungal and antiseptic.
- In public places, for example in a sauna or a swimming pool, you must use disposable slippers;
- Only use your own manicure tools.
If a person was able to cure onychomycosis and continues to adhere to preventive measures, the probability of encountering the fungus again is only 8%.